Sleep Through the Static [Vinyl]

First, I must say thank you to Allison, a sweet, lovely girl whom I met recently that suggested I give this album a listen. I even asked "Who is Jack Johnson?" He's definitely an artist by all defintions and one with plenty of soul and passion that can be felt through the rhythm of his songs as well as his ability to set poetry-like phrases to a flow of music-"I could give you promises for keeps. And I would only take them back if they became your own and you give them to me," he says in "What You Thought You Need." Some other standout tracks include the title cut, where Johnson writes with refreshing honesty as he observes the pace of society with a real time questioning of our integrity("We went beyond where we should have gone") and "If I Had Eyes," a sweet sentimental tale featuring a calypso groove and smooth jazz guitar that makes the hook too good not to enjoy. Having already occupied the #1 spot on Billboard's Album Charts for several weeks, Johnson seems to be ascending from his small but loyal following to a wider, mainstream audience, and he deserves it. I would even say a Grammy nod should take place next year because music lovers will feel like modern music has had a sort of awakening. The perfectly mellow, feel good album is just what we needed.

"Sleep Through the Satic", the much anticipated new release from Jack Johnson, is most likely the follow-up fans expected after the exquisit "In Between Dreams". We got the soundtrack to "Curious George", which was a good fit for Johnson's upbeat messages. However, the adult set will probably wrap it's head around Johnson's latest with more recognition and appreciation.The single that's promoting the CD is far from the best song on the disc. "If I Had Eyes" is a catchy sing-along, but several other tunes win out for artistic/lyrical vision. Johnson has apparently been facing some demons since "Dreams" swept ashore three years ago. This is not a "dark" album, as some have suggested, but it is a realistic look at difficulties, love, friendship, and, maybe, obsessions that lead us to misguided places. Johnson is a master at strumming for relaxing effect while using simple language to convey pretty heavy stuff. It sounds throw-away.... until you read the lyrics."Dreams" was indeed dreamy , full of feel-good sentiment,sunshine days and wistful memories. "Static" is more direct, and probably more mature, but so is Johnson. He has three more years under his life experience belt, and this CD displays gained wisdom with a melodic delivery.

I visited a buddy of my in Georgia and stayed in his son's room overnight. On Keegan's dresser was "Sleep Through the Static." I bought  Brushfire Fairytales  and had "Bubble Toes" go to #5 in my personal top ten. I loved that tune. Then I bought  In Between Dreams , listened and enjoyed it, but nothing really popped out at me. Keegan really likes this CD and gave it a glowing recommendation; so I ordered it. I'm glad I did. The laid back acoustic sound appeals to me, although some added emphasis on memorable bass lines would have spiced it for me. Johnson's voice is pleasant and touches on gentle emotions. The weakest part of his work is his sense of melody that isn't distinctive and tends to make one track bleed into the next. "If I Had Eyes" & "Monsoon" have good energy. My favorite track is the soft "Angel" with its celebration of love, "You've got to be careful when you've got good love cause them angels will just keep on multiplying." While "Sleep Through the Static" may not demand front and center on my changer as often as others, it creates a warm glow when it spins. Enjoy!

I'll preface that I'm a pretty big JJ fan and I normally don't write reviews but had to for this since it's a unique album. I first put this in the car CD on the way to Tahoe (4 hr drive). The first loop of the album and I was not impressed. During this part I was hussling to get out of San Francisco so my mind was a little stressed out with traffic. When I hit open road I started listening a little more closely and focused on a few songs. Song #1, #7, #10 were the first ones that I started to get into and repeated a few more times. Started listening to the lyrics and noticed some good stuff. The album has a soft, gentle, almost country feel to it with a little piano mixed in here and there. By the time I got to my destination I had played the album about 5 or 6 times and got pretty into it. Overall there are some good soft songs and a few more upbeat (but not many.. maybe 2). There are also a few really really somber songs that I pass over and still don't get into. Overall I listen to #1, #2, #6, #7, #10, #13, #14 consistantly and for that it's worth it.

This CD is the other one replaced by the Camp Fire in November 2018. The music is relaxing and brings back pleasant memories.

I recently ordered this Jack Johnson CD and love it. I have been a huge fan of his from the beginning with Brushfire Fairytales being one of my favorite cds of all time. I do not agree that this CD is necessarily "darker;" I just think that Jack Johnson might be in a different place in his life than when he wrote some of his previous albums. The words seem to be more powerful and purposeful than some of his prior songs.All of the music on this CD is similar to his previous ones in that they are still his beautiful, mellow, soulful tunes that we all know and love if you are a fan of his work. This CD, like his others, makes me very much want to kick back on the couch with my husband or a good book, prop my feet up and enjoy a large glass of wine or a nice, tasty beer while mellowing out to some of my favorite beats.

VERY GOOD

Present for husband. Very pleased.

Obwohl ich "JJ" sehr schätze, war ich hier zum ersten Mal doch recht enttäuscht. Die Kompositionen wirken für meine Ohren etwas unausgegoren, wenig prägnant und beliebig. Wer JJ grade für sich entdeckt, fängt vielleicht besser mit einer anderen CD von ihm an.

Horrendous quality vinyl pressing, discs are completely warped and not a single track plays out of 14!!! And now Amazon tell me that although the product is defective I can't even return it!!! Not happy is an understatement.

Diese CD ist absolut empfehlenswert, wenn man chillige Musik, gesungen mit einer soften, aber keineswegs nichtssagenden Stimme, liebt.Als Hintergrundmusik für einen entspannten Abend, beim Rotwein oder im Lieblingscafé bei einem Cappuccino nicht wegzudenken.